Buzz
Discover the Wonders of Phú Quốc: Touring the 4 Islands at Vinpearl Oasis and Tom Hill Resort. This review serves as a guide for your upcoming adventure to the Emerald Isle. Feel free to leave your comments for any inquiries!
* Means of transportation:
For our travel from Saigon, we opted for round-trip tickets with VNA priced at 1100k per person, inclusive of all taxes and fees. We made the purchase a month in advance, embarking on our journey in mid-May 2019.
Travel tip: Opt for a 9 am flight from SG to Phu Quoc to enjoy the seamless Vinpearl experience. Upon landing, Vinpearl staff will greet you at the airport gate, providing a warm reception with complimentary bottled water. Vinpearl's professionalism is truly unmatched. The one-hour journey from the airport to the resort is a breeze. Choosing the 9-10 am flight ensures arrival at the hotel around 12-1 pm, allowing ample time for check-in. Alternatively, early arrivals can explore the surroundings, perhaps visiting Vinwonders via the resort's electric shuttle.
*Accommodation: I secured a booking at Vinpearl Oasis through a 1500k Voucher for a 2-night stay for 2 adults and 1 child.
+Complimentary airport water service, free airport transfers, and complimentary transportation to the town +free buffet breakfast with a selection of over 300 international dishes + free welcome drinks at the resort. + Enjoy complimentary admission for 2 at Vinpearl Land or Safari. Booking this type of package is a no-brainer as it surpasses expectations. Considering that a single ticket for Vinwonders is priced at 700k, and Safari at 620k, even a combo of Vinwonders + Safari costs 900k. It adds up to almost a million for two people, making this combo highly advantageous.
Many wonder about the free breakfast; what about lunch and dinner? Since Vinpearl Oasis is situated in a remote northern corner of the island, a 40-minute journey to the town, you can opt for the 3700k/2N1D room with a complimentary 3-meal buffet and recreational activities. Alternatively, within Vinpearl, Almaz offers a variety of restaurants from Thai to Vietnamese. The prices are reasonable, service impeccable. Otherwise, you can grab a taxi to Ganh Dau (taxi fare from the resort around 160k) to experience dining at Bien Hai Quan while enjoying a view of Cambodia across the waters.
Exploring Phu Quoc with the 4 Islands Tour at Vinpearl Oasis and Tom Hill Resort
Day 1 Review at Vinpearl Phu Quoc
We arrived around 13:00, checked in, and got our room keycards. Here, everything, from dining to accessing various areas and even using the sauna (which is complimentary), is done with the keycard. You can choose to visit Vinpearl Land in the afternoon or, if not, enjoy the cool evening by the beach and play at the Water Park within the resort (remember to bring your keycard, everything from towels to clothing drop-off is free).
Important note:
After checking out at 12 pm, return your keycards. You can inform the staff that you'd like to explore the Safari (assuming you've already enjoyed all the resort's complimentary services throughout the day^^). The staff will check you out, lend you the keycards again, and guide you to the resort's electric vehicle for the Safari tour (I highly recommend the Safari, it surpasses the Land experience in Nha Trang).
I stayed at Vinpearl for just 2N1D, then moved to the town (there are free shuttle services from Vin at 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm, remember to pre-book with the reception 3 hours in advance). Being situated in the northern part of the island, Vinpearl can get a bit dull after a while. Outside of Duong Dong, opt for convenient 3 to 4-star resorts for night market visits and enjoyment on the southern part of the island.
We spent 2 hours at Safari and then took the electric vehicle back to Vin to catch the free shuttle to the town at 3:30 pm.
If you're traveling in a large group, you can also take a taxi. After Safari, you can securely leave your belongings at the hotel with proper luggage tags.
Day 2 Review at Tom Hill Resort Phu Quoc
After arriving in the town around 4 pm, the shuttle will drop you off at the station. At this point, our gracious hosts picked us up and took us to Tom Hill Resort, approximately 700k/day for 2 people (a 3-star resort with complimentary breakfast - don't compare with Vin, 3* vs 5* isn't on the same level, but overall, it's quite decent, especially with authentic Mekong Delta flavors in the cuisine). The infinity pool at the elevated resort is perfect for Instagram-worthy shots. They provide everything, from towels to safes...
At 5 pm, we gathered at Ocsen Bar for a coffee, enjoying the breathtaking sunset. The view is outstanding, surrounded by beautiful ladies. It's a delightful experience.
In the evening, we decided to explore the seafood scene at Ham Ninh fishing village. We had our own transportation, courtesy of my cousin, so I can't provide a price review for this part.
We ordered:
1. Steamed razor clams (550k/kg for medium size) - for coastal residents, this might not seem cheap, but overall, it's acceptable. 2. 6 snails (30k per snail - not exactly cheap, but they were fresh) 3. Grilled scallops with garlic butter (150k/kg) 4. Steamed oysters with lemongrass (650k/kg) 5. Spot prawns + Mud crabs (550k/kg for medium size, not too large)
6. Seafood fried rice (100k/plate)
The total bill for 5 people was 1885k (some items were ordered in half a kilogram; the prices I provided are per kilogram for easy calculation). We dined at Huu Loi in Nha Be. Initially, we planned to eat at Be Ghe, but when we saw Uncle Huu's meticulous cooking, we couldn't resist. And everyone seemed to have the same idea.
=> After a satisfying meal, it's time for sightseeing. We chose Chuon Chuon Bar as the spot to enjoy coffee while admiring the panoramic view of Phu Quoc at night. Drink prices range from 70k and above.
Back to the resort to rest, concluding the journey of day 2 ^^
Day 3 Review - 4 Islands Tour + Hon Thom Cable Car + Lunch + Sunset at Sanato
Woke up at 6 am, swam a lap in the hilltop pool, then had breakfast. After that, I embarked on the 4 Islands Tour + Hon Thom Cable Car + lunch + Sunset at Sanato. Priced at 990k per person, the itinerary runs from 8 am to 6 pm.
The shuttle picks you up at the resort at 8 am and takes you back to Hon Thom Cable Car. It's a fantastic spot for capturing Instagram-worthy shots, especially when traversing the longest sea-crossing cable car in Southeast Asia.
Snorkeling to admire coral reefs, honestly, doesn't match up to the beauty in Phuket, Thailand, but overall, it's quite enjoyable. In the afternoon at 2 pm, we headed back via cable car. The tour can take you to a cafe at an exclusive resort, and oh, it's breathtaking. A 5-star resort nestled by Bai Khem with fine white sand, and exceptional staff—lying down, listening to the distant waves, an exquisite experience.
Review of the 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour
Upon reaching Hon Thom, I took an electric car to the pier for the 4 islands tour (Dăm Ngang, Mây Rút, Hòn Móng Tay, Gầm Ghì). Visiting during December to May means fewer rains and calm seas, perfect for those who dislike motion sickness. Ladies, remember to bring a swimsuit and two outfits for fantastic photo ops at the cable car station and during sunset. Don't worry; there's a changing area at the second island, so go ahead and enjoy without wondering where to change.
At 4 pm, we moved on to Sunset for more photo sessions. The journey concluded with a ride back to the hotel, feeling thoroughly fulfilled and tired.
In the evening, my cousin took me to Thich Bo To for some beef. The place is quite popular, with moderate prices, but the downside is that if you arrive late, the delicious dishes might run out. :))
At 10 pm, I strolled through the night market and indulged in complimentary peanuts. Here, the peanut vendors invite you to eat until your throat is sore. Just take a stroll with a beer can, and you'll be full and merry in no time.
Day 4 Review - Shopping and Departure from Phu Quoc
In the morning, after breakfast, I leisurely packed my bags, took a taxi to the airport, and returned to Saigon to continue the routine of hustling for a living. On to the next adventure!^^
Wishing you all an enjoyable trip just like mine!^^
This is my first public review, no stones thrown, please. :)) If you have any questions about Phu Quoc, feel free to reach out to me.^^
Expenses per person, including flight, activities, and all the fun (excluding transportation costs covered by my cousin), totaled 4850k each.
Pictures from my review of Phu Quoc's 4 Islands Tour at Vinpearl Oasis and Tom Hill Resort were taken with an iPhone 6s, which is now lost. You can find similar images online; the experience and friendly Vinpearl staff remain the same.^^
IMPORTANT: Don't rely too much on waterproof pouches to make your phone last forever, like I did when heading to the beach!!!
Posted by: Phuong Thao Duong
Keywords: Review of Phu Quoc 4 Islands Tour at Vinpearl Oasis and Tom Hill Resort
